Becoming a fan myself
to convert those outside the company
Minoru Ohira
Franchise Department
Joined in 2000
Text and Edit / Yukiko Shinmura
Photo / Sho Ueda
Working together with our franchisees
In short, the Franchise Department exists to sell the face of the company. External partners are the ones promoting us, so it's crucial that they understand Tomorrowland's values and we put a lot of effort into communicating these values.
Values include larger concepts as well as smaller details like how to fold the items and what types of flowers to use as decor. But a store's basics depend on the environment, so there's no uniform set of rules - you just go by feel. Once you become a fan of Tomorrowland, this sense will come naturally, so converting people in fans is the fastest solution. Because when you like an item, you handle it carefully and can sell it with passion.
Exhibits boost morale
The main office has several members, including myself, who manage directly-run shops while also handling franchise stores. While store managers give visual merchandising feedback and take care of customers, I'm out of the limelight, deciding on franchisee stores and their contracts as well as managing wholesales.
At our quarterly exhibits, I help each store's buyers and give them advice on how to balance the items they need to make sales and improve the shop's image while also staying within their budget. Exhibits are one way that I get a morale boost as well. I've been at Tomorrowland for more than twenty years and I still enjoy seeing what items come out each season, and getting to see everything in one place at these exhibits is the cherry on top.
I want to watch over things as a fan
Working here for twenty plus years, I've changed departments several times and most times it's been because someone saw my ability and reached out, not because of me requesting a change. I've wanted to be someone that others can lean on when they need help. Perhaps I feel that way because I'm looking at this company as a fan from the inside.
This company is full of interesting people from the CEO down, regardless of age or title, so I can't help but be excited for what the future holds here at Tomorrowland. And that goes for the departments that create and that sell. Which is why I don't have a set-in-stone vision for the future. I want to keep watching over this company with its unchanging core that also applies the filter of the times.
Minoru Ohira
Franchise Department
Joined in 2000
He started out managing menswear at the Tomorrowland Harajuku Store then worked in customer relations for Ballsey, women's merchandising for TOMORROWLAND collection, and customer relations for TOMORROWLAND MEN, and is now the manager of the Franchise Department. He is also in charge of store development and manages the directly-run stores.